Systems and methods for enhancing the provisioning and functionality of wireless instruments

ABSTRACT

A system and method for enhancing the provisioning and functionality of wireless or portable devices, and more particularly a charging device configured to bi-directionally communicate to a database through the Internet or a private network to configure, update, and provision a wireless portable device while charging the portable or wireless device. Additionally, a system and method for alerting a user that the portable or wireless device requires a programmable action.

RELATED APPLICATIONS INFORMATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) of theProvisional Application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(b) entitled,“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING THE PROVISIONING AND FUNCTIONALITY OFWIRELESS INSTRUMENTS,” Ser. No. 60/547,569, filed on Feb. 23, 2004. Thedisclosure of the Provisional Application is incorporated in itsentirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates generally to enhancing theprovisioning and functionality of wireless and/or portable devices, andmore particularly is related to systems and methods of provisioning awireless and/or portable device through the Internet or private network.

2. Background Information

Cellular telephones have proliferated in capabilities and features.Though most of the features are accessible through the cellulartelephone's user interface, the complexity of features and reduction insize of cellular telephones makes it cumbersome for many users toprogram these features. Some cellular telephone manufacturers, as wellas third party vendors provide docking equipment which enables a user tointerface his cellular telephone to a computer in order to program thesefeatures. However, many of those users who have the most difficulty inprogramming their cellular telephone features are those users who areless likely to own a computer or more likely to lack the workingknowledge necessary to operate many computer applications.

For example, a senior citizen may possess a cellular telephone foremergency use, to communicate with family members, or to defray the costof long distance calls. A senior citizen may only desire to program thecellular telephone with a minimal number of telephone numbers, but thecomplexity required to program the cellular telephone and the decreasingsize of the telephone can make it difficult for the user to programthese numbers.

Cellular telephone users face another problem when replacing theirtelephone, which can be necessitated due to breakdown or loss. In suchinstances, the user programmable settings may be lost. While in somecases, a user may have a computer interface that can download thesesettings to, e.g., a replacement telephone, a large number of users haveno mechanism for backing up user programmable settings. Even in the casewhere the user does have a computer interface, many users do not havethe discipline to regularly back up these settings.

Further, most computer interfaces and software directed to programmingsettings for cellular telephones are limited to the extent of what canbe programmed. Many solutions aimed at easing a cellular telephone'sconfiguration allow the programming of only a subset of the features thecellular telephone is designed to be configured. Many other functions,including the provisioning of the cellular telephone, are not availableto the user or are restricted to the cellular carriers and theirdesignees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to combat the above problems, the systems and methods describedherein provide a charging device having a cradle configured to receive aportable device where the cradle is operably connected to a power sourceand configured to charge a battery in the portable device and analarming mechanism configured to initiate an alarm based on aprogrammable action. The charger device can also have a programmablecircuit configured to store and initiate said programmable actions and auser interface configured to enable the programming of said programmableactions into said programmable circuit.

In a further embodiment, the systems and methods described hereinprovide a charging device having a cradle configured to receive aportable device where the cradle is operably connected to a power sourceand configured to charge a battery in the portable device. The chargingdevice also has a communication port operably configured forestablishing a bi-directional communication connection with a networkand a programmable circuit configured to transmit and receive datathrough the bi-directional communication connection established with thenetwork. The data received from the network is downloaded to theportable device, and information stored in the portable device isuploaded to the network when the portable device is coupled to thecradle. The charging device can also have an alarming mechanism operablyconfigured to initiate an alarm based on a programmable action.

In another embodiment, the systems and methods described herein providea charging device having a power mechanism operably configured forconnecting a portable device to a power source, where upon establishingsaid connection, the power source charges a battery in the portabledevice. The charging device also has a communication port, integrallycoupled to the power mechanism and operably configured for establishinga bi-directional communication connection between said portable deviceand a network, wherein upon establishing the bi-directionalcommunication connection, data is transmitted and received between theportable device and network such that data received from the network isdownloaded to the portable device, and information stored in theportable device is uploaded to the network. The charger device can alsohave an alarming mechanism operably coupled to said power source andconfigured to initiate an alarm based on a programmable action.

Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following Detailed Description of the PreferredEmbodiments, when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present inventions taught herein areillustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in thefigures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for maintainingprogrammable settings within a cellular telephone;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for maintainingprogrammable settings within a cellular telephone whereby a chargingdevice, customer service representatives, and a voice response servercommunicates with a file server through the Internet;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for maintainingprogrammable settings within a cellular telephone whereby the chargingdevice communicates with a file server through the Internet through anInternet server;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for maintainingprogrammable settings within a cellular telephone whereby the chargingdevice communicates using a cellular telephone connection established bythe cellular telephone to an application server which is coupled to afile server;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for maintainingprogrammable settings within a cellular telephone whereby the chargingdevice communicates to a file server through the Internet or over acellular telephone connection through an application server;

FIG. 6 shows a detailed exemplary embodiment of a system connecting acharging device, cellular telephone and optional peripherals to a fileserver;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a file server;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates an example method by which thecharging device operates to program settings within a cellulartelephone;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary schematic of a charging device configured toimplement the method of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary schematic of a charging device havingadditional interfaces and features including a user interface, astandard interface and a network card;

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of a charging device having acircuit for coupling to a conventional telephone;

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of a charging device having acradle for coupling to the cellular telephone;

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a charging device having acable and jack for coupling to the cellular telephone;

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of the file server and the recordsstored on the file server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the descriptions of example embodiments that follow, implementationdifferences, or unique concerns, relating to different types of systemsand methods described in terms of a cellular telephone will be pointedout to the extent possible. But it should be understood that the systemsand methods described herein are applicable to any portable devicerequiring data exchange and requiring its batteries be charged,including other wireless or portable devices such as a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) as well as a portable medical monitor or medical device,a cellular telephone, a digital camera, or a music player such as aportable MP3 player.

As described herein, a charger or charging device may refer to asynchronizing device equipped with bi-directional communicationscapabilities and the ability to charge a power source of a portable orwireless device. The bi-directional communication capabilities permitthe charging device to transmit information, receive information, storeinformation, and forward information between the portable or wirelessdevice or the charging device and a database coupled to the Internet ora private network, e.g. a private company or government local areanetwork or wide area network, or a combination of public and privatenetworks. The charging device may be capable of numerous functionalitiesincluding but not limited to sending updates to the cellular telephoneit is connected to, storing and forwarding information for programmingthe cellular telephone at a later time, and initializing and activatingan un-programmed cellular telephone. The charging device can have localintelligence to perform programmable actions. The charging device canalso be on a key fob which is equipped with the requisite communicationscapabilities but can lack a charging capabilities and operate on batterypower. Though this disclosure describes the capabilities in terms of acharging devices, a fob with the same capabilities can be used in placeof the charging device.

Depending on the context in which the term is used, as described herein,the user may be, but is not limited to a wireless device user, acellular user, the charger user, or a third party manager of either thewireless device user or charger user.

As described herein, provisioning may refer to the process of setting upany programmable instrument, including any wireless internet device, orany programmable services that determine the functionality of thatprogrammable instrument or service. Provisioning may also refer to theprocess of bidirectional communication to and with any programmableinstrument to download and operate remote diagnostics to troubleshoot,repair, upgrade, or activate that programmable instrument.

By way of introduction, a cellular telephone can be placed in contactwith a charging device for the natural requirement of charging thecellular telephone battery and for the purpose of updating the cellulartelephone's programmable features. The information that can be used toupdate the cellular telephone's information is available on anyproprietary database of a host computer, typically through a website.Users can update the database using a computer by uniquely logging on tothe website, creating or accessing their personal data file for aspecific telephone number or numbers, updating the information, andlogging off the website.

In one embodiment of the provisioning of a cellular telephone, a usercan connect the cellular telephone to a charging device that isconnected to the Internet through traditional wired communicationmethods, initialize a call via the connecting wires by pushing a buttonon the charging device or cellular telephone, logging on to the databasehost computer, downloading the programmable information, and loggingoff. For example, a user may connect her cellular telephone to acharging device that is connected to the Internet. Upon connecting thecellular telephone, the charging device can log onto a ring tonedatabase and download a selected ring tone into the memory of thecellular telephone and log off. The user can then disconnect thecellular telephone and listen to the new ring tone.

In another embodiment, a user can completely provision a cellulartelephone by connecting a newly purchased cellular telephone to thecharging device. In this embodiment, before or following the purchase acellular telephone, the user can log on to a particular website using acomputer terminal connected to the Internet and enter any desiredinformation to be downloaded into the cellular telephone. First, theuser can enter information to identify the cellular telephone, typicallyvia the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) available on the cellulartelephone or the packaging, enter desired information such as names andcellular telephone numbers or other data to download to the cellulartelephone or device, and log off from the computer. The user can alsosubscribe to additional features that may be dormant in the memory ofthe cellular telephone. Upon subscription to the feature, the featurebecomes enabled. An exemplary feature may be an application for instantmessaging, web browsing, video streaming, video gaming, or othercommunication or entertainment application. Once the information isuploaded into the database, the user can place the cellular telephone inthe charging device or plug in the data cable from the charging deviceto the cellular telephone and activate an information exchange processin which the data entered into the computer is downloaded to thecellular telephone. The data entered into the computer can be saved andused to provision any number of cellular telephones or wireless devices.If a user then misplaces the cellular telephone, the data stored in thememory of the cellular telephone is not lost. Information can beexchanged from the database to the cellular telephone and from thecellular telephone to the database in a two-way bi-directional exchange.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 for maintainingprogrammable settings within a cellular telephone 118 in accordance withthe systems and methods described herein. Central to the system is fileserver 130 which can store programmable settings of the cellulartelephone 118 and possibly other services. A charging device 120 can becoupled to the file server through a variety of methods depending on theembodiment, some of which are described in more detail below. As shownin FIG. 1, charging device 120 can also function as a charger forcellular telephone 118. While the cellular telephone 118 is charging,its programmable settings can be updated or synchronized. These settingscan be retrieved from file server 130 either at the time cellulartelephone 118 is placed in the charging device 120 or at a time prior tothe placement of cellular telephone 118 in the charging device 120.

The programmable settings are delivered to file server 130 in a numberof ways. For example, the file server 130 can retrieve the settings fromthe cellular telephone 118 or synchronize the settings with cellulartelephone 118. Alternatively Internet users 110, 112 and 114 can accessfile server 130 using their own computer through the Internet 116. Inone embodiment, for example, Internet users 110, 112, and 114 can accessthe Internet through Internet server 128. In another embodiment, fileserver 130 can connect directly to the Internet and in effect can, incertain embodiments, perform the function of Internet server 128.

In one embodiment, users 110, 112, and 114 can program characteristicsof cellular telephone. 118 using a web interface. The web interface may,for example, be customized to the specific type of cellular telephone118 the user is programming.

In accessing the file server 130, a user may be asked to identify whichcellular telephone's characteristic is to be programmed. Further, theuser may be asked to present authorization to program a particularcellular telephone's characteristics. Users 110, 112, and 114 can beeither the owner of the cellular telephone or an authorized designatedparty. For example, a cellular telephone user could designate familymembers with the authority to program the cellular telephone.

In certain embodiments, a user can access system 100 using aninteractive voice response (IVR) system. For example, telephoneinteractive voice response users 122 and 132 can program characteristicsusing an interactive voice response system, whereby telephone IVR user122 asks by the file server 130 to identify the cellular telephone to beprogrammed, present authorization, and program the characteristics ofcellular telephone 118. Telephone IVR user 122 uses telephone 124 tocall a specific telephone number associated with the programmingservice. The call is answered by a voice response server 126 which canbe configured to prompt telephone IVR user 122 for certain input. IVRuser 122 responds to the prompts, e.g. by pressing buttons on telephone124 to generate a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tone recognized byvoice response server 126. For instance, a prompt can offer multipleoptions which can be selected by the pressing of keys such as “1” or “2”on the telephone 124.

Alternatively, the interactive voice response system can also be adaptedwith simple voice recognition so that telephone IVR user 122 can respondthe voice response server 126 by simple voice commands such as audiblyspeaking the numbers “one” or “two.” In some embodiments, voice responseserver 126 can be incorporated in the same hardware as the file server130. In another embodiment voice response server 126 can be a separatepiece of hardware coupled to a file server 130 by connection 152 whichcan be a local area network (LAN) connection, a wide area network (WAN)connection, the Internet, cellular/PCS or Wi/Fi, Bluetooth, or someother form of wireless or wired computer communication.

Other users can be customer service response (CSR) users such as CSRusers 136 and 146. In order to offer users 136 and 146 more convenience,the system 100 can be equipped with a customer service responsecomponent. For example, CSR user 136 can use telephone 138 to call aspecific number, which connects CSR user 136 to one of a number ofcustomer service persons. Each customer service person communicates withthe file server 130 through their own workstation 140, 142, and 144respectively coupled to file server 130 by connection 154. Connection154 can, for example, be a LAN, WAN, Internet, cellular/PCS or Wi/Fi,Bluetooth, or equivalent connection. CSR user 136 then directs customerservice person 140, after proper authentication, as to whatcharacteristics of the cellular telephone are to be programmed. Thesystem 100 permits users of varying degrees of comfort with technologyto direct the programming of their cellular telephone 118.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a system 200 similar to that depicted inFIG. 1 where additionally, voice response server 126, customer serviceworkstations 140, 142, and 144, and the charging device 120 can becoupled to the file server 130 through the Internet 116. In oneembodiment, the charging device 120 and other components can be coupledto Internet server 128 through the Internet 116, which relays thecommunications to the file server 130 through a connection 150.Connection 150 can be either a LAN, WAN, cellular/PCS or Wi/Fi,Bluetooth or any other wired or wireless connection. A wired connectioncan be a DSL, cable, universal serial bus (USB), firewire, or otherwired connection.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a system 300 similar to that depicted inFIG. 1 where the charging device 120 is coupled to the file server 130through the Internet 116. The charging device 120 can be connected toInternet server 128 through the Internet 116, which relays thecommunications to the file server 130 through connection 150. Connection150 may be either a LAN, WAN, cellular/PCS or Wi/Fi, Bluetooth or anyother wired or wireless connection. A wired connection can be a DSLconnection, cable connection, USB, firewire or other wired connection.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the system 400 where the charging device120 uses the cellular telephone 118 to establish a wireless telephoneconnection 160 to an application server 162 that can communicate withthe file server 130. In this embodiment, the cellular telephone 118calls the application server 160 which in turn is coupled to eitherInternet server 128 through a LAN, WAN, Internet or other connection164. Alternatively, the cellular telephone 118 calls the applicationserver 160 which in turn is coupled to a file server 130 with anintegrated Internet server 128. This embodiment eliminates the need forthe charging device 120 to be coupled to the file server 130 through afixed Internet or standard telephone connection.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of the system 500 where the chargingdevice 120 can communicate to file server 130 either through theInternet 116 as described in relation to FIG. 2 or through a wirelesstelephone connection 160 as described in relation to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts various communication routes in which charging device120, cellular telephone 118, and file server 130 can communicate. In oneembodiment, charging device 120 can be connected to the Internet 116through any connection such as a cable 616, a digital subscriber line(DSL) 618, a third party dialup access line 620, a satellite line 642 ora Ti digital transmission line 644. The charging device 120 can becoupled to the file server 130 through a LAN 622 or WAN 624.Alternatively, the charging device 120 can be coupled to the file server130 through or any other wired or wireless connection. A wiredconnection can be a DSL connection, cable connection, USB connection,firewire connection, or other wired connection.

As shown in FIG. 6, charging device 120 can comprise an internal modemcoupled to either a public telephone network 612 or a private telephonenetwork 614. File server 130 in this circumstance is coupled to a modembank 602 of one or more modems, which establishes a communications linkwith the charging device 120 when an appropriate number is dialed. Thecommunications between the charging device 120 and the file server 130can be any Internet protocol such as point-to-point protocol (PPP).Additionally, many cellular telephones are equipped with a data port,which can be coupled to the modem of a computer. If cellular telephone118 is so equipped and the charging device 120 comprises a modem, thecharging device 120 uses the cellular telephone 118 to communicate withthe file server's modems via a wireless telephone connection 610.

Cellular telephone 118 can communicate with charging device 120 in avariety of methods. In one embodiment, charging device 120 can bedesigned with a charger built in the form of a cradle whereby a cellulartelephone 118 can be physically connected to the charging device 120through contact points or integrated connector when the cellulartelephone 118 rests in the cradle.

In another embodiment, the connection 632 is made with a cable used forcharging the cellular telephone and transferring data to and from thecellular telephone through its data port. This cable can be attached tothe cellular telephone 118 and charging device 120 thereby allowing thetwo components to communicate. The cable may be in the form of auniversal serial bus (USB) or firewire cable or other data transfercable. In other embodiments, cellular telephone 118 and charging device120 may be equipped with local wireless capabilities such ascellular/PCS or Wi/Fi, Bluetooth or 802.11 wireless LAN. In such a case,charging device 120 can communicate to cellular telephone 118 throughsuch an interface.

Optionally, charging device 120 can be integrated with additionalperipheral devices such as action causing buttons 640 or a credit cardreader 624. The action causing buttons 640 can be programmed to connectto the file server 130 upon activation to initiate the download ofprogrammable information or compare the current cellular telephonesettings with the stored programmable information. The credit cardreader 624 can read credit cards to transmit the user's credit cardinformation to the file server 130 for use in instances such as forprepaid cellular airtime. Credit card reader 624 can permit the user topurchase additional time by using a credit card rather than having tophone in a credit card number or pay for the time through a website.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary services to which the file server 130 canbe connected. The file server 130 can be coupled to a carrier network'sprovisioning service 712, whereby the cellular telephone 118 can beinitially provisioned, or whereby the carrier or preferred roaming listitself can be changed. Additionally, cellular service features can bechanged. For example, the user may no longer desire call waiting and candisable the call waiting feature by accessing the databases on the fileserver 130.

File server 130 can also be coupled to a prepaid airtime service 714,where the amount of remaining time can be programmed into or deliveredto cellular telephone 118. The user can purchase additional time eitherthrough the web interface, the IVR system, a customer servicerepresentative, or by using the credit card slot 624 on an appropriatelyequipped charging device 120.

File server 130 can also be coupled to location-based services 716. Forexample, if a user travels to another location, the charging device 120can report its location either through the wireless carrier or byreporting its caller identification when communicating with file server130. With the location known, the file server 130 can extract from theuser profile the type of regional services of interest as supplied bylocation-based services 716. For example, for a business travelertraveling from Los Angeles to Minneapolis can plug in the chargingdevice 120. The file server 130 recognizes the location of the chargingdevice 120 as being in Minneapolis. The user profile stored in the fileserver contains a request for local restaurants. Upon charging thecellular telephone, the local restaurant phone numbers are downloadedonto the cellular telephone. Furthermore, a form of online coupon can bemade available to the user by the file server 130.

File server 130 can also be coupled to a photo store 718. In oneembodiment, charging device 120 is coupled to a digital camera or acamera equipped telephone. Photos from the cellular telephone or thecamera are downloaded to file server. The photos may also be distributedto a website service that can post the photos in a virtual photo album.The photos may also be emailed to list of designated recipients. Thephotos may also be sent to a selected photo store 718 where they can bedeveloped and picked up by the users at their convenience.

File server 130 can also be coupled to a pharmacy 720. In oneembodiment, charging device 120 is designed to be equipped with ascanner. This scanner employs a bar code or radio frequencyidentification (RFID) technology. The user scans a prescription, wherecharging device 120 submits this request to file server 130. File server130 in turn delivers the request to the pharmacy 720 where theprescription is filled and the user can pick up his medication at hisconvenience.

File server 130 can also be coupled to a retail store 722. A user canpurchase a cellular telephone from retail store 722 where retail store722 directs file server 130 to provision the cellular telephone. Inaddition, a user can purchase prepaid cellular airtime at retail store722 where retail store 722 records the additional cellular airtimethrough file server 130. Additional services can be purchase throughretail store 722, transferred to file server 130 and downloaded tocharging device 120.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for programming acellular telephone in accordance with one embodiment of the systems andmethods described herein. In step 810, the charging device 120 is idleawaiting input from the user. In step 812, the user initiates an action.The user can initiate an action by pressing a button on the chargingdevice 120 or by placing the cellular telephone in a cradle or otherwiseattaching the cellular telephone 118 to the charging device 120. In step814, charging device 120 queries file server 130 for any pending updatesor commands to the cellular telephone.

In an alternate embodiment, the inquiry need not take place when theuser initiates an action. At a predetermined time, charging device 120,independent of the user, could poll file server 130 for any pendingupdates or commands.

In step 816, charging device 120 determines whether it requires any datafrom the cellular telephone, such as manually programmed telephonenumbers or features. If so, in step 818, the charging device 120 queriesthe file server 130 to determine what information is required from thecellular telephone 118 and, in step 820, it obtains that informationfrom the cellular telephone 118. In step 824, the charging device 120sends the data to file server 130 through, e.g., one of thecommunications methods mentioned in FIG. 6. The data retrieved mayinclude names and telephone numbers of persons added manually or by someother process, numbers called, calls received, calls missed, textmessages stored, other supported set-up information, and otherinformation the manufacturer supports through the connection method.

In step 822, charging device 120 can be configured to determine whetherthere is any data that needs to be transferred to the cellulartelephone. If not, charging device 120 can return to step 810, where itawaits the next action to be initiated. Otherwise, the charging device120 can obtain the data from the database interfaced with the fileserver 130 in step 826. In step 828, the charging device 120 can beconfigured to download the data to the cellular telephone. In step 830,charging device 120 can send a confirmation back to file server 130.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic of a charging device 120 configured inaccordance with the systems and methods described herein. The chargingdevice 120 can comprise a charging circuit 902 coupled to a wall plug904. Alternatively, the charging circuit 902 can be coupled to atransformer, which can be built into wall plug 904 as shown in FIG. 9.The charging circuit 902 can also be coupled to a power port 906. Thecharging circuit 902 is configured to charge the cellular telephone whenthe cellular telephone is coupled to power port 906.

The charging device 120 can further include a data communication circuit920 that can house a driver 916, a processor 912, memory 914, and amodem 908. The modem 908 can be coupled to a telephone jack 910 such asa Registered Jack-11 (RJ-11) jack, which can be connected to a standardtelephone line. The modem 908 can be coupled to a processor 912. Theprocessor can be coupled to memory 914 and to a driver 916. Driver 916is coupled to a data port 918, which is used to communicate to the dataport of a cellular telephone. When the cellular telephone 118 is coupledto the charging device 120, power port 906 is coupled to the cellulartelephone's power port, and data port 918 is coupled to the cellulartelephone's data port. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the chargingcircuit 902 can be tapped to power the data communication circuit 920.Power port 906 and data port 918 can be physical contacts within acradle, or they can be presented in the form of a jack whereby a customcable can be attached in order to couple the device to the cellulartelephone. Processor 912 can be a central processing unit (CPU) or otherlogic circuits depending on the complexity of the functions the chargingdevice 120 is designed to perform. Memory 914 can be random accessmemory (RAM) or it can be some sort of non-volatile memory such as anelectronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory, or nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM).

In one embodiment, the device can also be used as a backup device. Forexample, the charging device 120 can constantly mirror the cellulartelephone's 118 programmable characteristics in the charging device's120 local memory even when the device is not in communication with thefile server 130. Thus, if the cellular telephone's programmablecharacteristics are lost, the charging device 120 can be used to restorethe settings.

The driver 916, which governs how the processor communicates with thecellular telephone, can be implemented with various software developmentkits (SDKs) available in the marketplace offered by the manufactures.For example, Nokia offers a variety of SDKs for interfacing differentcellular telephone models into a variety of platforms. For example, theNokia 3300 SDK is available for programming the 3300 cellular telephone.The Nokia 9200 Communicator series is available for programming cellulartelephones in the 9200 series. Furthermore, Motorola offers a variety ofdevelopment kits, tools and guides under their Motocoder™ resources.

In another embodiment, where the charging device 120 operates in acompletely wireless mode, that is the charging device 120 uses thecellular telephone 118 to call file server 130, the charging device 120may not include an RJ-11 telephone jack and can further include a caradapter to connect to the charging circuit 902.

In another embodiment, the data communication circuit 920 can be in aseparate physical unit, external from the charging circuit 902. Theexternal unit of the data communication circuit 920 can further comprisedata port 906 and telephone jack 910. The data communication circuit 920can be coupled to the charging circuit 902 through an external cable.Furthermore, the external unit of the data communication circuit 920 canfurther comprise power port 906.

FIG. 10 depicts another schematic of the charging device 120. Thecharging device 120 can comprise a data communication circuit housing acommunication port. A communication port can include a modem 908 coupledto a RJ-11 jack 910 through which the cellular telephone 118 and/orcharging device 120 can establish a two-way communication link with thefile server 130. In another embodiment, a communication port can includea network interface (NIC) 1002 coupled to an Ethernet port 1004, such asan RJ-45, or to a wireless 802.11 interface 1006 which the cellulartelephone 118 and/or charging device 120 can establish a two-waycommunication link with the file server 130. The file server 130 can becoupled to the Internet or a private network, e.g. a private company orgovernment local area network or wide area network, or a combination ofpublic and private networks. In either embodiment, the charging device120 can simply act as a conduit to communicate information and data fromthe file server 130 to the cellular telephone 118 and from the cellulartelephone 118 to the file server 130 in a bi-directional manner.Alternatively, the charger 120 can maintain local intelligence and storein memory 914 information and data received from the file server 130 andforward that information to the cellular telephone 118 upon connectionof cellular telephone 118 to the charger device 120. The information anddata stored in the memory 914 can then be compared to that on the fileserver 130 in the case of further transmissions and communications withthe file server 130. Additionally, information entered into the memoryof cellular telephone 118 can be transmitted to the file server 130through the data communication circuit of charging device 120.

The charging device 120 can further comprise a user interface 1010 whichcan house lights 1014, buttons 1012, a liquid crystal display (LCD)1016, and/or a touch screen 1018. Additionally, the charging device 120can comprise an standard interface 1020 such as USB, Firewire, orRecommended Standard 232 (RS-232) serial for coupling additionalinput/output devices such as a bar code scanner 1026, an RFID scanner1024, and a credit card reader 1022.

Additionally, the charging device 120 can comprise a clock circuit 1012,which can be programmed and synchronized with data transmitted from thefile server 130 via the Internet, to actively alert the user that thecellular telephone requires charging or that charging is complete. Inone embodiment, the device can issue a warning such as a blinking light1014 to indicate that the cellular telephone is in need of charging. Theprocessor 912 can interact with the charging circuit 902 to determinewhether the cellular telephone was fully charged upon the last chargingsession to give a more accurate estimate of battery life. Alternatively,the user can access a database within the file server 130 to input apredetermined time of day to alert the user to re-charge the cellulartelephone and a predetermined time of day to alert the user to removethe cellular telephone from the charger. Hence, the predetermined timesof day can then be downloaded into the memory 914 of the charging device120 via the Internet connection and the processor 912 can be programmedto alert a user at a predetermined time, e.g. 11 p.m., each day tocharge the cellular telephone. The predetermined times can be stored inmemory 914 and can be replaced on subsequent downloads with an updatedpredetermined time. A user can store multiple schedules of programmedalerts in memory 914 to which the user can select. For example, the usercan program a weekend schedule and a weekday schedule of alerts. Inanother embodiment, user interface 1010 can be configured to display thecurrent time. In another embodiment, the charging circuit 902 can beconfigured to indicate to the user through a visual alert and/or anaudible tone at a provided time a reminder to charge the cellulartelephone or an indicator that the cellular telephone is fully charged,thus providing alternative alerts in the alarming feature. The user canselect from an array of audible tones including traditional alarm rings,beeps, various ring tones, and/or voice alerts such as “Please chargeyour cellular telephone” or “Your cellular telephone is charged.” Voicealerts can be prerecorded, generic voices or a user can record apersonalized message. A user can record his or her voice alert using arecord feature on user interface 1010 or by recording a voice alertthrough a computer coupled to a database of file server 130, which canlater be downloaded into the memory 914 of the charging device 120 viathe Internet connection. These audible tones and/or alerts can besimultaneously displayed with corresponding visual alerts on userinterface 1010 via LCD display 1016, touch screen 1018, or blinkinglights 1014. Visual alerts displayed on LCD display 1016 or touch screen1018 can be similar to voice alerts heard such as “Please charge yourcellular telephone” or “Your cellular telephone is charged.”

In a further embodiment, a simplified charging device 120 can include aclock circuit 1012 coupled to the processor 912 that can interact withthe charging circuit 912 to provide the alarming feature as discussedabove. In this simplified charging device 120, power port 906 and/ordata port 918 can detect the presence of a cellular telephone either inthe cradle or connected via a custom cable and can initiate theuser-programmable alarming feature. The user can program the alarmingfeature to alert the user at a predetermined time each day that thecellular telephone requires charging, to alert the user that thecellular telephone requires charging as calculated from the duration oftime between charges, to alert the user after the cellular telephone hascharged for a predetermined period of time, and/or to alert the userthat the cellular telephone is fully charged. The user can furtherdeactivate the alarming feature or manually disengage the cellulartelephone for required use during a charge. In one embodiment, a usercan locally program the alarming feature using buttons 1012 on userinterface 1010.

In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 11, the charging device 120 canfurther comprise a telephone control circuit 1102 to connect thecharging device 120 through a standard connector 1110 such as an RJ-11to a conventional telephone 1112. The alarming function discussed abovecan alternatively indicate the user via telephone control circuit 1102,which can ring the conventional telephone 1112 rather than blink a lightas an indicator that action is required. In a further embodiment, atelephone control circuit 1102 can be programmed with prerecordedmessages 1106 so that when the user answers the conventional telephone1112, a detailed message directs the user as to the course of action tobe taken. In some situations, this is preferable to a crypticcombination of warning lights. In another embodiment, the telephonecontrol circuit could comprise an IVR processor 1108 which can allow theusers to interact with the device through DTMF tones on the conventionaltelephone 1112. In still another embodiment, the IVR processor 1108 canbe configured to respond to simple voice commands.

In one embodiment, the charging device 120 can be connected in serieswith a conventional telephone 1112 and an internal or external answeringdevice with a message light. The conventional telephone 1112 may be usedfor communicating with the file server 130 through control featuresusing DTMF. For example, a conventional telephone 1112 incorporated withthe charging device 120 can manage through the file server 130programmable speed dial buttons on both the conventional telephone 1112and the cellular telephone 118. Furthermore, if a conventional telephone1112 is coupled to the charging device 120, through telephone jack 1110,simple voice commands can be interpreted by the IVR processor 1108 whichcan be used to manage simple operations such as using a verbal commandto dial a phone number. For example, after dialing the file server 130with the conventional telephone 1112, a user could program a cellulartelephone 118 using local voice prompts. In a further example, afterdialing a called party on either the conventional telephone 1112 or thecellular telephone 118, the user can speak the name of the called partyif the number is not currently stored in the memory of the cellulartelephone 118. The spoken name of the called party with thecorresponding telephone number dialed can be communicated to the fileserver 130 that can manage the new setting. The user can then simplyspeak the called party's name to place a subsequent call to that partywithout entering the corresponding telephone number. Additionally,messages stored on the answering machine can be transferred to the fileserver 130 for remote access by the user.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a charging device 120 inwhich the cellular telephone 118 sits in a cradle 1204 and is coupled tothe charging device 120 through contact points 1206. The contact points1206 can transfer a charge to the cellular telephone 118 and cantransmit information between the cellular telephone 118 and the chargingdevice 120. The charging device 120 can also include a telephone jack1208 for communicating to the file server 130 and a wall plug 904 topower the charging device 120. In one embodiment, the logic required toinitialize data transfers and charging can reside inside the chargingdevice 120.

FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary schematic for the charging devicewhere the cellular telephone 118 can be coupled to the wall plug 904 viacable 1306. The wall plug 904 can also contain an internet connectionthrough a telephone jack 1308 provided for communicating to a fileserver 130. The cable 1306 and wall plug 904 can be built into a single,integrated unit with the transformer unit, which is plugged into thewall.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the file server 130comprising a front-end processor 1402, a communications interface 1404,and a database 1406. This embodiment can resemble a standard databaseserver available in the marketplace. Database 1406 can store a userrecord 1410 for each user. Each record can comprise a plurality ofentries. The entries can include programmable information 1420, such asthe names, telephone numbers and categories of individuals, ring tones,and volume levels. The entries can also include non-programmableinformation 1430 such as comments for each name, authenticationinformation for the account, the make and model of the cellulartelephone currently used, and billing information The entries can alsoinclude activation information 1440 such as provisioning informationused to select a carrier or activate a new cellular telephone. Therecord can comprise entries associated with telephone use information1450 such as the numbers called, the number of received or missed calls,text messages store, and other information that can be generated at thecellular telephone.

Some cellular telephones are also designed to maintain sub-categories ormultiple numbers for each person or organization entered into thecellular telephone. Depending on the configuration, the file server canadapt these values for cellular telephones not capable of support suchfeatures. For example, if Joe Smith has a cellular telephone number, ahome number, and a work number. The file server can program a cellulartelephone, which does not support multiple telephone numbers with thelabels “Joe Smith (C),” “Joe Smith (H),” and “Joe Smith (W)”.

In another scenario, the user may only desire to download some of theentries. For example, the record in the database applies to multiplecellular telephones within the same household. Certain personalitytraits may only be desired for certain cellular telephones in thehousehold. Another situation may arise when information may be timesensitive or confidential and the user may only want those entriesresident in the cellular telephone for a fixed period of time.

while embodiments and implementations of the invention have been shownand described, it should be apparent that many more embodiments andimplementations are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be restricted, except in light of the claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A charging device comprising: a cradle configured to receive aportable device, the cradle operably connected to a power source andconfigured to charge a battery in said portable device; and an alarmingmechanism configured to initiate an alarm based on a programmableaction.
 2. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising: aprogrammable circuit configured to store and initiate said programmableactions; and a user interface configured to enable the programming ofsaid programmable actions into said programmable circuit.
 3. Thecharging device of claim 1, wherein a user can locally program saidcharger device through the user interface.
 4. The charging device ofclaim 1, wherein the programmable action is a defined time.
 5. Thecharging device of claim 4, wherein at a predetermined time theprogrammable circuit initiates the alarm reminding a user to charge saidportable device.
 6. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the alarm isaudible.
 7. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the alarm is visual.8. A charging device comprising: a cradle configured to receive aportable device, the cradle operably connected to a power source andconfigured to charge a battery in said portable device; a communicationport operably configured for establishing a bi-directional communicationconnection with a network; and a programmable circuit configured totransmit and receive data through the bi-directional communicationconnection established with said network, wherein data received from thenetwork is downloaded to the portable device, and information stored inthe portable device is uploaded to said network when said portabledevice is coupled to the cradle.
 9. The charging device of claim 8,wherein the network is one of an Internet, a local area network (LAN), awide area network (WAN), or a private network.
 10. The charging deviceof claim 8, wherein the bi-directional communication connection is awireless connection.
 11. The charging device of claim 8, wherein thebi-directional communication connection is a wired connection.
 12. Thecharging device of claim 8, wherein the programmable circuit isprovisioned remotely.
 13. The charging device of claim 12, wherein aremote party selects the programmable actions to be downloaded to theportable device when said portable device is coupled to said cradle. 14.The charging device of claim 8, further comprising: an alarmingmechanism operably configured to initiate an alarm based on aprogrammable action.
 15. The charging device of claim 1, wherein theprogrammable action is a defined time.
 16. The charging device of claim15, wherein at a predetermined time the programmable circuit initiatesthe alarm mechanism to remind a user to charge said portable device. 17.The charging device of claim 19 wherein the alarming mechanism is audio.18. The charging device of claim 19 wherein the alarming mechanism isvisual.
 19. A charging device comprising: a power mechanism operablyconfigured for connecting a portable device to a power source, whereinupon establishing said connection, the power source charges a battery insaid portable device; and a communication port, integrally coupled tosaid power mechanism and operably configured for establishing abi-directional communication connection between said portable device anda network; wherein upon establishing the bi-directional communicationconnection, data is transmitted and received between the portable deviceand network such that data received from the network is downloaded tothe portable device, and information stored in the portable device isuploaded to said network.
 20. The charging device of claim 19, whereinthe network is one of an Internet, a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), or a private network.
 21. The charging device ofclaim 19, wherein the bi-directional communication connection is awireless connection.
 22. The charging device of claim 19, wherein thebi-directional communication connection is a wired connection.
 23. Thecharging device of claim 19, further comprising: an alarming mechanismoperably coupled to said power source and configured to initiate analarm based on a programmable action.
 24. The charging device of claim19, wherein the alarming mechanism is audible.
 25. The charging deviceof claim 19, wherein the alarming mechanism is visual.